Chapter 21
Kate was able to reassure Barry that Honey would make it. He gave the pup a pet, and she licked his hand.
“Will she be alone tonight?” Barry asked. “She’s never been alone at night. She sleeps in my bed with me.”
Kate chuckled. “I’ll take her out to Tegan’s with me. She’ll have a lovely little bed, and I’m giving her a sedative, so she doesn’t try to pull this IV out. She should be ready to go home tomorrow afternoon. Dogs bounce back quickly, and thankfully, you acted immediately. She owes you her life.”
Barry smiled sadly. “No, it’s pretty much the other way around, Doc.” He stroked the long hair and kissed the dog on the nose. “You be good for the doc, okay.” The dog attempted to wag her tail, but the poison and medication had worn the poor thing out. As soon as Barry left, the pup closed her eyes and was asleep.
Kate glanced up when she heard running footsteps. “Where’s the mare?”
“She’s in one of the holding corrals. I’ve stitched her up, but I don’t have a clue how much antibiotics to give her.”
“Got it. Thanks for the assist, Kate.” Noah dashed away from the door. Kate wheeled the little dog into her new lab and started running tests on the samples she’d collected.
“Hey, babe,” Tegan said from the doorway.
She looked up at him and was instantly off the chair. She fell into him. “I’m not a wimp, but oh my God, I was so scared when Barry told me what happened.”
“He did tell you to wait until the sheriff cleared it for you to come out, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, but like I’d listen to that.” Kate leaned back to look at him. “Is this what it felt like for you when I got knocked on the head?”
“You were a bloody mess and talking like you were fine. I was a wreck.” He dropped and gave her a kiss. She held onto him and leaned her ear against his chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart. It was her favorite sound to go to sleep and wake up to. Thank God she’d had work with the animals to do, or she’d have gone insane when he left with the sheriff.
Kate shook her head. “We can’t keep doing this.”
Tegan froze. “Doing what?”
“Getting almost hurt.”
He relaxed a bit. “I got almost hurt. You had five staples in your head. That’s hurt in anyone’s book.”
She smiled against him. “Meh, potato, po-ta-toe.”
He chuckled a bit. “Barry said the pup was going to be okay.”
“Yep. I got her flushed out, and I’m checking the labs to make sure her kidney functions are doing well. Noah is with the mare.”
“I should go help him.” But he didn’t move. Instead, they stood hugging each other.
She finally realized she hadn’t asked. “What did Ken want you for?”
“Ah, you want the long story or the abridged version?”
“Bullet points … no pun intended.” She looked up at him and smiled.
“Right.” He rolled his eyes. “Well, there was a dead man up at the top of the hill.”
Kate’s mind clicked, and she was one hundred percent tuned in. “Who?”
“The man I bought Max from.”
“How did he die?”
“Gunshot to the chest.”
Kate narrowed her eyes. “Barry said you shot cover fire for him.”
“Wasn’t me. He was killed earlier.” Tegan’s hand flattened at the small of her back. “I don’t have a clue what’s going on, but we’re going to park on the east side of the building and direct all customers to do the same. That way, the building is between us and the hill.”
“But what about your men? The sale is coming up.” She pulled a bit away, but his hand at her back guided her closer again. “Ken is talking to Senior. We’ll probably postpone the sale, and I’ll send the guys to work out at Senior’s, so they can continue to get paid. But I’m staying here with you.”
“As my bodyguard?” She tipped her head back and smiled.
“Bodyguard, receptionist, helper, general all-around pain in the ass, yes. Until this situation is resolved, I’m not going to leave you without protection.”
Kate drew a deep breath and put her head on his chest again. “You know, by all rights, I should object and throw around the fact I’m a strong and capable woman.”
“You should,” he agreed.
“But I’m not going to,” she whispered.
“No? Why not?”
“Because, Tegan, the thought of losing you terrified me. I haven’t told you this, but I love you. You know that, right?” She bent backward to look up at him.
He stared down at her with those brilliant blue eyes. “I love you more than my life. I think I have since the first time we were together.” He released her and dropped to one knee. “Babe, I don’t have a fancy ring in my pocket, but I’ll get you the biggest one I can find if you marry me.”
Kate’s heart did that flutter move that always happened around that man. She smiled and grabbed his cheeks in her hands. “Yes, of course.” She bent down and kissed him as he remained on his knees. She could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks and couldn’t care less. That strong, confident woman she’d become had a soft side, too. The side that needed that man to protect her and be growly. Tegan was someone she would walk beside, be a partner in life, and grow old with. He was her vision of happiness. Without him, her life would be hollow.
He stood up as they were kissing and picked her up off her feet. She laughed, and so did he. When he put her down, they kissed again. That delectable warmth filled her and swirled so wonderfully around her body. When they broke the kiss, she grabbed his shirt collar in her hands. “When are we getting married?”
“Whenever you want. If you want a long engagement?—”
“Why would I want a long engagement?”
“Well, you’ve only been home three months.” Tegan’s blush hit his cheeks hard.
“But I’ve been in love with you for twelve years. Twelve years, Tegan. Don’t you dare make me wait longer!” She shook him with her grip on his collar.
He laughed and took her hands away from his shirt. “Tomorrow?”
Kate started to say yes and then looked around him at the pup on the small exam table. “The day after tomorrow.”
Tegan looked over his shoulder and smiled. “I can live with that.”
“Wait, what about a license and a minister?” Her mind snapped into planning mode. “I want Hailey, Craig, and Lawrence with us.”
“Of course.” Tegan nodded. Kate turned and grabbed a pen and paper. “And do we need blood tests? I need to Google that.” She started writing down questions and thoughts as they came to her.
“Babe?”
Kate turned around. “Yeah?”
“I’m going to let you do your thing and go see if Noah needs help.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I love you.”
She smiled when he lifted away. “I love hearing that, and I love you, too.”
Tegan winked at her and left. Kate dropped the pen and walked over to the pup, who was sleeping peacefully. She sighed and spun around in the room before dropping into her chair and completing the labs for the puppy.
She’d just finished when her phone rang. She picked it up with a smile. “You know, don’t you?”
Blessing laughed. “I don’t know what, but I know there’s great happiness for you right now.”
“Tegan asked me to marry him.”
“Congratulations!” Blessing’s smile could be heard in the words.
“Thank you.” Kate sat back and stared at the sleeping pup. “But there was some drama before that.”
“The man from the past. I can’t focus on what’s happening or why. It’s frustrating not to be able to help. But I know this won’t affect you or your loved ones again. The darkness this man brings has moved on from you.”
“But not the rest of the town.” Kate felt deflated. This little town and its people had been so gracious and welcoming to her.
“I wish I could tell you. For now, there’s a time of quiet.” Blessing sighed. “But that’s all I know.”
“Then we’ll take it and be happy.” Kate changed the subject. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing very well. I have good feelings about the men with you in the library. Some of them will have, and have had, a harder time reaching their best versions of themselves, but hopefully, they’ll listen to my advice.”
Kate smiled, remembering the conversations she’d had with each of the men. “I can almost guarantee they will. Turning down the presents you give would be foolish.”
“And yet it happens all the time.” Blessing laughed. “Are we talking on Tuesday?”
“Absolutely. I love our weekly chat.” Kate smiled. “Hopefully, by then, I’ll be married.”
Blessing laughed. “You might be if you don’t go overboard.”
Kate blinked and looked at the list she’d started. “Ouch. That hurt.”
“I don’t pull punches with you.”
“And I’m glad. Okay, I’ll whittle the list down to a bare minimum.”
“Oh, so the groom, a license, and a minister?” Blessing teased.
Kate sighed. “You know me so well. Okay. It”s almost the bare minimum. I want Lawrence and the kids to be there, too.”
“Which is right and proper. All the rest is noise, Kate. Don’t listen to the noise.”
“I promise.” Kate sighed. “If I haven’t told you, you’re the best friend a person could have, and you are in my heart. I wish we lived closer.”
Blessing was quiet for a minute. “That would be nice, but I’m needed here, and your life is in Hollister. You’re in my heart, too. I should go. I look forward to talking on Tuesday.” The call disconnected.
Kate stared at the list and picked it up. She tore it up into tiny pieces and tossed it into the trash. She reached for a new piece of paper and wrote: Tegan, Lawrence, Craig, Hailey, a license, and someone to marry us. A smile grew, and she closed her eyes, thanking the universe for putting Blessing in her life to direct her home. She sighed. After twelve years of service, she was where she belonged, doing what she loved, with the man she was meant to be with. She was finally home.